Today, April 8 in the Indian history marks the 162nd death anniversary of one of the greatest soldier Mangal Pandey. Born on July 19, 1827, Mangal Pandey, was a sepoy (sipahi) in the 34th Regiment of the Bengal Native Infantry (BNI) of the British East India Company. While Britishers announced him as a traitor and mutiny, Pandey is a hero in modern India. The freedom fighter made his entry to the Indian history for his act of attacking British officers that set off the first war of Indian Independence, also known as Great Rebellion, Indian Mutiny or Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.

On March 29, 1857, Pandey, who was in the Bengal Army, attacked British sergeant and injured an adjutant rank officer. For this, Pandey was arrested and sentenced to be hanged. Later, it was revealed that the reason for Mangal Pandey's attack was the introduction of the new Enfield P-53 rifle spread. The cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat and Army had to bite off to remove the cover. The cow is considered sacred in Hinduism while pig meat is considered haram in Islam. Did You Know the Indian Rebellion of 1857 Was Started on May 10 by Mangal Pandey?

Mangal Pandey’s brave act against the Britishers triggered a series of revolts around India. During the time when the rebellion broke out, there were nearly three lakh Indian sepoys in the British East India Company. The revolt started in 1857, when Bengal army soldiers mutinied in Meerut. They killed British officers and marched to Delhi. On reaching Delhi, they declared Mughal ruler Bahadur Shah Zafar (81) as their emperor. Facts About the Indian Freedom Fighter Mangal Pandey.

However, on June 20, 1858, the movement was seized. The movement failed as it didn't have any proper leadership and couldn't spread all over the country. Also, the India Sipahis didn't have finance sources as the British did. Although the movement was unsuccessful it has a special place in Indian history.

Britishers were forced to end the rule of East India Company and established the Crown rule instead in its place. Fearing more such outbreaks in the future, the British officials hanged Mangal Pandey on April 8, 1857, at Barrackpore, Kolkata, ten days before the scheduled execution date.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 08, 2019 07:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).